Packers Roster: Five Wide Receivers Remain

by Brandon on Sep 3, 2011 8:00 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers Training Camp

After the Green Bay Packers re-signed WR James Jones, it seemed that they were set with five wide receivers: Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Jones, and rookie Randall Cobb. None of the other wide receivers coming into camp appeared to have a shot at making the active roster.

But two wide receivers had been written about a lot this preseason: Tori Gurley and Chastin West.

West had shined on offense with a long touchdown against the Cardinals, and QB Aaron Rodgers had spoken highly of him. But in his other three preseason games he had a combined total of 3 receptions for 19 yards. And I had rarely noticed him on special teams.

Gurley had actually been more consistent on offense with 7 receptions over the last three preseason games. At 6-4, he's much taller than any other receiver in camp, which helped him stand out. He did shine on special teams by blocking kicks and punts in practice.

While both players had shown some skills, none really showed anything the Packers didn't already have from their top five. Gurley might be tall, but the Packers have a number of tight ends with similar skills.

On the other receivers released. Diondre Borel looked good as a converted college QB, but also showed bad hands with a couple drops. And Kerry Taylor had promise as a kick and punt returner, but he wasn't dynamic enough as a wide receiver (only 4 receptions, none longer than 9 yards) to stay.

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How hurt was Smithson?

He seemed all right in the game vs the Chiefs. But I like the kid. He’s one of those super character guys who is greatful for his chances. The fact that he is on the IR is great news for us. It’s a hedge vs the enivatable purge of our potential practice squad wr’s. No way West and Gurley stay where they are. If Driver sees that his career is finished at the end of this year, we will still have a guy who knows our system next year. He is, by no means a Donald Driver, but when DD came into the league, how much was really expected of him?

by Nels Winkler on Sep 3, 2011 11:42 PM CDT reply actions

Smithson is on the slow side...

I was a big fan of him coming out of college, but a 4.6 40 doesn’t cut it when you’re a return game and screen pass specialist.

"I'm tired of pretending I'm not a rock star from Mars."

by Kuhl on Sep 4, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions

I guarentee

Thompson and McCarthy give two s**** about his 40 time. Its about game speed. Look at all our players 40 times…

Michael Jordan - 6 rings

Kobe Bryant - 5 rings

The planet Saturn - 7 rings

Lebron James - a headband

I love Donald Driver.

by arodgb on Sep 5, 2011 8:16 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

His game speed isn't overly high either...

Watch any of his college highlights, he usually gets chased down from behind.

"I'm tired of pretending I'm not a rock star from Mars."

by Kuhl on Sep 5, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions

His game speed looked terrible to me.

That highlight against Iowa St, where he had a big return, but couldn’t outrun the Iowa St. ST players is what turned me off him. Sounded like a great return guy, and that was a good return, but that he couldn’t outrun Iowa St guys really bothered me. I would consider that embarrasing. Not like Iowa St is known for its team speed!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Sep 5, 2011 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Or anything at all.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

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by Omaha Sun on Sep 10, 2011 12:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Chastin West

I think that Chastin West will come back to haunt us. I really liked what he brought to camp. I can only hope that we get to sign him to the practice squad. Had Clifton not been charged with that holding penalty, I’d wager that I would not be posting this right now. Either way. Go Packers!

cpocraig
If beauty is skin deep then ugly goes to the bone.

by cpocraig on Sep 4, 2011 1:03 AM CDT reply actions

Had Clifton not been charged with that holding penalty, I’d wager that I would not be posting this right now.

Clifton’s holding penalty had no effect on whether or not West made the final 53. I am sure that West got a positive grade when the film was looked at on that play and was probably looked at as if he scored the TD. Coaches do not look at the box scores to make roster decisions.

by JDub37 on Sep 4, 2011 1:29 AM CDT up reply actions

West

If you take out that one 97 yard reception, would you be making this same very comment? What has West done other than that reception? Granted, it was a big play, but he didn’t make a move, he ran straight, the defender blew it, and it was a perfect pass from Flynn. I don’t think releasing West will come back to haunt us by any means. Especially considering the depth we have at the WR position.

2011 Super Bowl Champs!

by Jabooty on Sep 4, 2011 4:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah I think West’s rise to everyone’s WR6 was really overdone. It was all from one play. You take it out and he didn’t do THAT much to impress. He’s still got a LONG ways to go before we even need to think about him haunting us…and by then most of us will forget he was even on the team.

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by TrevorR on Sep 4, 2011 7:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Gurley

I really thought he had a shot to stick as a ST contributor. I think this goes to show that this team is too talented to keep guys just for their ST capabilities (especially with the new changes to the rules)

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Sep 4, 2011 7:11 AM CDT reply actions

13.

Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!

by Wiedmann on Sep 4, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Is it weird if I can't stop staring at this?

In Every Climb and Place....

I am an ass hat.

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 4, 2011 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

The Right Moves

Driver, Jennings, Nelson, Cobb and Jones were the guys I wanted to see again this year. Gurley and West are both fine, but they don’t really bring anything new to the table and didn’t have amazing preseasons.

by Jason James on Sep 4, 2011 11:00 AM CDT reply actions

Really?

Gurley and West are both fine, but they don’t really bring anything new to the table

I would say Gurley definitely brought something new to the table! Do we have another WR that is 6’4 w/ 84.5 in arm span and the ability to jump over defenders? I would say that qualifies as something new. Not to mention his ST abillity/talent to block kicks… He definitely has attributes that we don’t have w/ other WR. Only Finley has the ability win jumpballs the way Gurley can. He should be on the PS ahead of West if he doesn’t get picked up by anyone else!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Sep 4, 2011 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Finley and Quarless both bring everything Gurley does

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by sheehan on Sep 4, 2011 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Not necessarily

Size wise and ability wise, yes they bring what Gurley does. However, as Stroh pointed out, Gurley was doing a good job on Special Teams. That’s something Quarless and Finley haven’t done yet. Perhaps Quarless has been alright on ST (I’m not sure), but I don’t recall him impressing anyone or blocking punts on Special Teams. That’s where Gurley’s real value came in. I’m not overly down about Gurley being cut, but he could’ve been a valuable asset to our punt return squad. When you have a talented team though, difficult decisions have to be made.

2011 Super Bowl Champs!

by Jabooty on Sep 4, 2011 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Except

Finley yes… Quarless? Have you ever seen him in a jump ball situation? I haven’t. Just cuz they have the same ht doesn’t mean they can win jump balls. Besides, they are TE’s, and I was asking in regards to WR.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Sep 4, 2011 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Finley might as well be a WR

He goes out for passes much more often than he blocks, and he lines up in the slot pretty often too.

"I'm tired of pretending I'm not a rock star from Mars."

by Kuhl on Sep 4, 2011 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions

AGAIN

I’m talkin about WR, NOT TE! I know Finley is used like a WR alot, but he IS a TE! Gurley offers something that no other WR does… What about that don’t you get?

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Sep 5, 2011 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions

But what about Finley?

He offers the same thing as Gurley.

In Every Climb and Place....

I am an ass hat.

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 5, 2011 1:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes he's in a different part of the depth chart

but if he’s used as a WR, then he should be discussed in the same breath as the WRs.

"I'm tired of pretending I'm not a rock star from Mars."

by Kuhl on Sep 5, 2011 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

So what if Finley gets hurt again?

Then he would not only be the only WR w/ that ability, but the only reciever period. Wouldn’t it be nice to also be able to split a big reciever on both sides of the field, that can out jump the D for the ball? And what about his ST play? Do you know any other player that was on the roster, that even got a hand on one punt? And Gurley did if regularly…

If you want an argument you can keep this up. But as I said Gurley has that ability and no other WR does!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Sep 5, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Randall Cobb may be special

… or he might not be. You would hope that they would coach him into a ‘emergency 3rd QB/Wildcat’ player. Athletic as all get out, but very, very raw.

by DrCheese on Sep 4, 2011 12:17 PM CDT reply actions

If they ever coach anyone into a "Wildcat" role...

I will learn to fly just so I can pull a banner saying “FIRE MIKW MCMORAN”

In Every Climb and Place....

I am an ass hat.

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 4, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

Losing West and Gurley doesn't really bother me.

The moves mean we get to keep a lot of talented undrafted linebackers who could potentially have a huge future impact on defense. So’oto looks like he could be a stud sooner rather than later, DJ Smith flies around the field and could be a potential starter in the future and Lattimore looks like a solid backup. Not to mention that LBs have that 6’3 250lbs body type you want on STs. I’d rather keep talent in our previously thin linebacking corps than in our already talent saturated WR corps.

I put the team on my back!!!!!

by Packattack88 on Sep 4, 2011 12:35 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs